Donald M. Epstein on March 26-27, 2001

This section is compiled by Frank M. Painter, D.C.
Send all comments or additions to:    Frankp@chiro.org

Hello. Researchers with the University of California, Irvine, Department of Sociology and the School of Medicine have developed the revolutionary Patient Assessment Questionnaire for Wellness. This questionnaire exams the complex relationship between the patient, lifestyle choices, life stress, various demographic factors, both biomedical and social science measures of wellness.

Through self-assessment, it measures physical well being, emotional well being, stress and life enjoyment, and an overall quality of life. The first of several papers has been published pertaining to wellness and its relationship to network spinal analysis, a system which I have developed. Additional papers will be presented in the research conference.

The use of this instrument is not limited to those having symptoms or ailments. It is applicable to a wide range of schools of thought on wellness. Its use for measurement of self-reported health and wellness is detailed in the articles that were submitted.

The physician is skilled in knowing about the progression of disease, but it is only the patient who truly knows about the internal experience of health and wellness. In fact, a person's report of her own health has been shown to be one of the strongest predictors of her mortality.

Effective wellness outcomes are essential. Practitioners who care for individuals are being charged with excessive or inappropriate utilization, in spite of individuals continuing to achieve increasing levels of wellness under a practitioner's care. The consumer and the practitioner, alike, must have the freedom to choose a wellness approach with specific wellness outcomes to our health without being engendered legally, financially, or politically.

Ineffective care must be distinguished from care that does promote overall health and wellness without the sole attention on the particular presenting symptom or complaint. I know patients who continue to report pain, in spite of the fact they stopped drinking, smoking, or abusing family members. Others, no longer accept the destructive aspects of their life as being normal.

Some people with advanced cancer are now feeling more alive, productive. Others, who may have serious disease, but the person doesn't want to think this serious, they are living a full life. The inner experience is what determines whether a person is ill or well. Treating diseases does not promote wellness. It does not release the illness which is about the person.

Wellness is the experience of wholeness, invincibility, flexibility, openness to life, and an ability to feel alive. Disease has little to do with the individual per se, or their life. It is about classifying conditions. Wellness is distinguished by a richer experience of life, hallmarked by choices which are more productive, efficient, and bring greater life fulfillment.

Outcome assessments for wellness must incorporate such markers for healing. By redefining desired outcomes, clinical approaches can be refined to better fulfill the patient's needs and create a new standard for health and wellness care. Thank you.

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